LP tactics against SP

Table Tennis Match Strategy

Last updated 9 years ago

Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Asked 11 years ago

Hi Alois

having had some experience now both with and against LP, SP, Anti and of course inverted, I have come to the basic conclusion that, all things being equal (at a local club level), LP is an advantage over inverted, inverted is an advantage over SP, SP and Anti are both an advantage over LP.  Of course, individual ability can completely skewer this picture, but this is my impression.

My current challenge now is playing with LP against SP.  It seems LP pushes and chops have little effect on SP, partly because SP isn't as affected by incoming spin as inverted, and partly because SP doesn't generate much topspin that LP can reverse into backspin.  It seems an SP player only has to target the LP side of an LP player, because SP vs LP, the SP is just more consistent and easier to control.  Eventually the LP player will make a mistake or else hit the ball too high and allow an easy kill.

The advantage of SP over LP may even hold in the highest level.  I remember reading an article where Matthew Syed described He Zhi Wen as the most difficult player for him to play against.

Any tips on tactics to employ as an LP player against an SP player?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Ji-Soo,

Some interesting deductions there.

As a LP player I think the thing that SP players don't like are the flat fast balls where they have to lift the ball.  So blocking forward on the ball rather than pushing down on it may be something to try.  This forces them to have to lift the ball which isn't as easy with the SP.

You are right, I also remember watching Johnny Huang playing LP choppers and dealing with them by basically smashing them off.  Miao Miao also plays well against LP choppers because of this.  There just isn't much spin to reverse.

I will add it to the list of Match Strategy lessons that we are planning at the moment.


Notify me of updates
Add to Favourites
Back to Questions

Thoughts on this question

D K

D K Posted 9 years ago

I also want to know how to counter shortpips

Normally a righthanded player can effortlessly defeat me using left handed shortpips

But almost EVERY lessons match strategy video is premium :((



Become a free member to post a comment about this question.